Device for dispensing tape



Nov. 2, 1943. c. s. JACKSON 2,333,378

DEVICE FOR DISPENSING TAPE Filed Feb. 12, 1942 E. a 26 :R I 26 INVENTOR.

5 CLHRE/VCE $.J/7CA50/V Z 13 A m HTTORNEY Patented Nov. 2, 1943 DEVICEFOR DISPENSING TAPE Clarence S. Jackson; Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor toPeters Bros. Rubber 00., Inc., Brooklyn, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork Application February 12, 1942, Serial No. 430,556

7 Claims. (Cl. 242-555) The invention relates to devices for dispensingtape and more particularly adhesive tape of the type known aspressuresensitive adhesive tape sometimes referred to as Scotch tape,and commonly used as a mending tape for torn papers, documents and thelike, and for other purposes. Tape of the indicated character isgenerally coated on one surface with an adhesive having a relativelyhigh degree of adhesiveness which renders the tape .inherently emcientfor its intended purposes, but at the same time makes said tape somewhattroublesome to handle.

The invention has for its object to provide a novel dispensing devicefor such tape in which the latter, in the form of a roll, is rotatablysupported in an efficient manner and so as to be adequately protectedagainst injury.

The invention contemplates further the provision of a novel dispensingdevice constructed and arranged in a manner to facilitate the withdrawalof said tape at will for severing into selective lengths as may berequired.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel dispensingdevice in which the initial free end and subsequent successive free endsof the tape are effectively maintained in a position of readyaccessibility for periodic and successive withdrawals of the tape fromthe device in selected lengths or sections dependent upon the purposesto be served thereby.

In addition, the invention seeks to provide a dispensing device of theindicated character constructed and arranged in a novel manner to avoidand overcome objections inherent in existing types of tape dispensingdevices.

The invention also has in mind the production of a novel dispensingdevice in which the introduction of the rolls of tape into the deviceand the removal of empty cores or spools therefrom is easilyaccomplished.

Other additional objects will appear from the description hereinafterand the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates an example of theinvention without defining its limits,

Fig. l is an exterior perspective view of the novel dispensing device ina preferred position of rest;

Fig. 2 is a dismantled view of the device showing the two complementalsections thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view looking at the bottom of Fig. 1 and illustrating thedevice in a position for withdrawing tape therefrom;

Fi 4 is. a perspective view of the tape severing member or tearingdevice included in the device;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view howing the cutting member or'tearing device mounted in place; i

Fig. 6 is a detail section on-the line 66 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged view similar to Fig. 3 with partsbroken away and in section.

The novel device comprises a hollow container consisting of twocomplemental sections A, B, fitted together in registry with each otherand provided with means for supporting a roll of tape and with severingmeans whereby the severing or tearing of the adhesive tape intoselective lengths is facilitated, The complemental sections may bemaintained in detachable association with each other by the frictionalcontact of contiguous parts, it being understood that other means may beemployed for fixing said sections in position relatively to each other.In its preferred form the container is curved at one end portion andrelatively straight at the opposite end to provide a base upon which thecontainer may be supported'in the upright position of rest illustratedin Fig. 1.

Each section A, B comprises fiat side walls in and transverse flanges iiprojecting from said side walls into abutting engagement in registrywith each other to form the hollow container shown in the drawing. Theside walls ii) are provided with straight edges i2 maintained in spacedrelation with each other by the transverse flanges i i to provide a baseupon which the container may be supported in anupright position of rest,for instance, as shown in Fig. 1. The side walls i0 and the flanges i Iin the illustrated example are curved or arched as illustrated in Figs.1 and 2, it being understood however that this is not an arbitraryrequirement and that the container may be made in any other suitableshape desired.

With the arrangement so far described, the container is open at the baseI! thereof and is provided with shoulders i4 formed as integral parts ofthe side walls #0, and projecting therefrom toward and into contact witheach other preferably at points in registry with the free end edgeportions of the flanges II. The shoulders M in addition to their otherfunctions to be more fully described hereinafter, serve to properlyposition the section A and B relatively to each other and to stabilizethe construction thereof. Additional spacing members l5 preferablycomprising integral parts of the side walls In project therefrom andtoward and into engagement with each other as shown in Fig. 3. Thespacing members I! are located in spaced relation to the shoulders i4and in co-operation therewith form an exit opening ii, the spacingmembers H5 in addition co-operating with each other to provide a holdingsurface for the free end of the tape; as will appear more fullyhereinafter.

'In addition to the parts so far described, the sections A and B areprovided with tubular sleeves i1 and i8 projecting inwardly from theside walls ll) of each section A and B in axial registry with each otherand fitted together telescopically in the assembled condition of thedevice to constitute a bearing for rotatably supporting a roll of tapewithin said container. A cutting member or tearing device to facilitatethe severing of the adhesive tape into selected lengths is provided inthe device and as shown comprises an angular member I! having a serratedtearing edge 20 and being jointly supported by the sections A and B byfltting into right angular slots 2i formed in the shoulders l4 inregistering relation to each other as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. Thearrangement issuch that the tearing device is extends transverselyacross the open end of the container so as to bridge the joint betweenthe opposed shoulders i4. The

parts are so dimensioned that the tearing device i9 fits snugly into theslots 2| with the one leg thereof located in surface engagement with theflanges ii and the serrated edge 20 positioned in contiguous relation tothe open end of the container as shown in Fig. 5. The frictionalengagement of the tearing device I! with the surthermore may have arelatively high polish.

The tubular members 22 and 22- preferably are arranged to rotate on thestuds 23 in the nature of rollers, although said tubular members 22 and22 in some instances may be fixed on said studs 23 in which case thefrictional telescopic engagement between the tubular members 22 and 22and the studs 23 will assist in maintaining the sections A, B inassociated detachable relation with each other. The tubular members 22and 22 are located in the exit opening it in contiguous relation to theblocks i4 and spacing members 15 respectively as illustrated in Fig. '1.

Adhesive tape 24 of the kind for which the dis-,

pensing device is especially adapted is generally coiled in rolls upontubular cores 25 of any suitable material in the well-known andconventional manner. In practice a roll of tape 24 is placed within thecontainer with its core 25 mounted upon the tubular sleeve H, the outerdiameter of which is such that it will readily fit into said core 25without interference with the rotation of the latter on the sleeve ii.The free end portion of the tape 24 is unwound from the roll and passedoutwardly through the exit opening i6 between the tubular members 22 and22* and over and in contact with the tubular memaasasvs ber 22 andbrought into overlying relation with the spacing members ii. To maintainthe same in ready accessibility for use, the free end portion of thetape 24 may be adhesively attached to the outer common surface of saidspacing members I5 was to project somewhat beyond the same asillustrated in the section A in Fig. 2. To facilitate access to thistemporarily fastened free'end portion a of the tape 24, the flanges Iiat the free ends thereof are curved as indicated 1 at 28 in Fig. 6 toprovide a recess 21 through which the fingers of the human hand may beinserted when accessibility to said free end por- I tion a of the tape24 is desired.

When a section or length of tape is to be obtained from the dispensingdevice, the free end a of the tape 24 is released from adhesiveattachment with the common surface ofthe spacing members I5 and anoutward pull is exerted thereon to draw the tape outwardly through theexit opening it and specifically through the space between the tubularmembers 22 and 22*. During this withdrawal of the tape, the uncoatedsurface of the latter may be in contact with the tubular member 22whereby such withdrawal is guided and facilitated. After a sufilcientlength of tape has thus been withdrawn from the con-- tainer to providea section of said tape sumcient for the intended purpose, the tape isfolded overthe tearing device IS with the uncoated surface of said tapein contact with the serrated edge 20 thereof and said tape is tornacross such serrated edge 20 to sever the tape transversely at thispoint. Because of its inherent tendency as the result of its coiledcondition on the core 25,

the free end of the tape 24 which remains on the roll will have anatural tendency to spring away from the tubular member 22 toward theother tubular member 22* and may accordingly be again adhesivelyattached to the common surface of the spacing members i6 ready forsubsequent removal when severance of a length of tape 24 is againdesired.

If it becomes necessary or desirable to do so, the tape 24 may bewithdrawn from the device over the tubular member 22 with the adhesivecoated side of said tape 24 in contacttherewith. In such case, becauseof the fact that the member 22 is capable of rotating on its axis as aroller, there will be no tendency to scrape or disturb the adhesivecoating on said tape. This means not only that the coating of adhesivewill not be injured, but also that the transparency of the tape will notbe reduced as would be the case if the adhesive coating thereof isscraped or disturbed.

During the operation of withdrawing the tape enables the tape to bereadily handled without difllculty and without messiness when lengths orsections of said tape are desired for use. During inactive periods, thedispensing device may rest upon the straight edges i2 or in other words,upon the base provided thereby, in the upright position illustrated inFig. 1. In this position the free end portion of the tape 24 which is intemporary adhesive connection with the spacing members i5 is protectedagainst injury and contamination by the surface upon which thedispensing device rests at the time. Similarly this surface closes theopen end of the container and 2,838,378 accordingly serves tocorrespondingly protect the roll of tape which is located within tainer.

A roll of tape may be readily inserted into the dispensing device byfirst separating the sections A and B from each other in the mannerillustrated in Fig. 2 so as to leave the tubular sleeve I'I freelyaccesssible for insertion into the core or spool 25 of said roll oftape. The removal of an empty core or spool25 may be readilyaccomplished in the same way and replaced with a new roll oftape withoutdifiiculty.

By maintaining the current free end portion a of the tape 24 indetachable adhesive connecsaid contion with the spacing members l5, saidfree end portion a is at all times maintained in an accessible positioneasily available when it is desired to sever a length of tape from theroll thereof.

In addition to its other functions, the novel dispensing device alsoconstitutes an efllcient and ornamental package in which said tape maybe transported and displayed for sale and sold to the purchasing public.

The novel dispensing device may be constructed of any suitable materialsand is specially adapted to be made of plastic materials which not onlyenhance the appearance of the device but enable it to be easilymaintained in a clean and sanitary condition.

Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with apreferred embodiment, it is to be understood that modifications andvariations may be resorted to without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readilyunderstand. Such variations and modifications are considered to bewithin the purview and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

A device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising two complementalsections provided with side walls and transverse flanges projectingtherefrom into abutting engagement in registry with each other to spacesaid side walls apart to form a hollow container, said side walls havingstraight edges in spaced parallel relation to provide said containerwith a base and with an open end, shoulders projecting from said sidewalls toward each other across said open end and provided withregistering slots in communication with each other, spacing membersextending from said side walls toward each other across said open end inspaced relation to said shoulders to form therewith an exit opening andco-operating with each other to provide a tape-holding surface, atearing device fitted into and held in the slots of said shoulders andhaving a tearing edge in accessible position in co-operative relation tosaid exit opening, tubular sleeves projecting inwardly from said sidewalls and fitted together telescopically to constitute a bearing forrotatably supporting a roll of adhesive tape within said container, thetape from said roll passing outwardly through said exit opening andhaving its free end adhesively attached to said tapeholding surface inoverhanging relation thereto, said transverse flanges being shaped toprovide a finger recess in co-operative relation to said tape-holdingsurface whereby the overhanging free end of said tape is accessible forready detachment from said tape-holding surface at will for withdrawingthe tape through said exit opening and bringing its ungummed surfaceinto contact with the tearing edge of said tearing device for severinginto selective lengths, and guide members in said exit opening inassociated relation with said shoulders and spacing members respectivelyfor engagement by the tape.

2. A device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising two complementalsections detachably fitted together to form a hollow container havingspaced side walls and an open straight end on which, said container mayrest in an upright position, tubular sleeves projecting inwardly fromsaid side walls and fitted together telescopically to constitute abearing for rotatably supporting a roll of adhesive tape within said.container, spacing members extending from said side walls toward eachother across said open end to define an exit opening and co-operatingwith each other to provide a tape-holding surface, a tearing devicesupported on said complemental sections and having a tearing edge incontiguous relation to said exit opening, tubular guide membersextending across said exit opening in spaced parallel relation to eachother, and pins projecting from the respective side walls into saidtubular members for supporting the same in operative position, the tapefrom said roll passing outwardly over one of said guide members andhaving its free end in temporary adhesive attachment with saidtape-holding surface and being releasible therefrom at will forwithdrawing the tape through said exit opening over the other guidemember and into contact with the tearing edge of said tearing member tosever said tape into selective lengths. V

3. A device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising two detachablyconnected complemental sections co-operating to form a hollow containerhaving an open straight end on which said container may stand in anupright position of rest, means on the respective sections in telescopicconnection with each other and co-operating to form a bearing forrotatably supporting a roll of adhesive tape Within said container,registering spacing members extending toward each other from therespective sections across said open end to define an exit opening andco-operating with each other to provide a tape-holding surface, and atearing device supported jointly by said complemental sections andhaving a tearing edge in associated relation to said exit opening, thetape from said roll passing outwardly through said exit opening andnormally having its free end in temporary adhesive attachment with saidtape-holding surface and being releasible therefrom at will forwithdrawing the tape through said exit opening into contact with thetearing edge of said tearing device to sever said tape into selectivelengths.

4. A device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising two detachablyconnected complemental sections co-operating to form a hollow containerhaving an open straight end on which said container may stand in anupright position of rest for rotatably supporting a roll of adhesivetape within said container, tape-holding means in the.

' ment with the holding surface of said tape-holding means and beingreleasible therefrom at will for withdrawing the tape through said openend tainer without interference with the detachability or saidcomplemental sections, registering spacing members projecting towardeach other from each of said sections and co-operating with each otherto provide a holding surface for normally maintaining' the free end orsaid adhesive tape in an accessible position for withdrawing the tapethrough said exit opening at will, and tearing means carried Jointly bysaid sections, with which the withdrawn tape may be engaged for severingthe same into selected lengths.

' 6. A device for dispensing adhesive tape comprising two detachablyconnected complemental sections co-operating to form a hollow containerhaving an exit opening, means for rotatably supporting a roll ofadhesive tape within said container without interference with thedetachability of said complemental sections, registering spacing membersprojecting toward each other from each of said sections and co-operatingwith each other to provide a holding surface for normally maintaming thetree end of said adhesive tap in an accessible position for withdrawingthe tape through'sald exit opening at will, rotatable means located insaid exit Opening tor guiding the tape in its withdrawal from thecontainer, and tearing means carried Jointly by said sections, withwhich the withdrawn tape may be engaged ior withdrawing the tape throughsaid exit opening.

at will, a pair 01 rollers rotatably mounted in spaced parallel relationin said exit opening for guiding the tape in its withdrawal from thecontainer and to said tape holding means respectively, and tearing meanscarried jointly by said sections, with which the withdrawn tape may beengaged for severing the same into selected lengths.

CLARENCE S. JACKSON.

